Log-controlling mechanism for sawing-machines.



A B. & F. L. IRELAND. LOG CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR SAWING MACHINES.

Patented June 13, 1916.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 24. I9.

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UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

A BERTSELL IRELAND AND FRANK L. IRELAND, OF NORWICH, NEW YORK.

LOG-CONTROLLING MECHANISBI FOR SAWING-IJIACHINES.

Application filed February 24, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, A BERTSELL IRE- LAND and FRANK L. IRELAND, citizens of the United States, residing at Norwich, in the county of Chenango and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Log-Controlling Mechanisms for Sawing-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for operating upon logs and particularly to log controlling means for use in such machines.

In the illustrated embodiment the log controlling means of the present invention is associated with, and operatively connected to, a drag sawing machine of the kind disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent to A. B. and F. L. Ireland, No. 959,221, granted May 24, 1910. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to incorporation in, or use with, machines of the particular kind or type herein shown.

Drag sawing machines are used for the most part for sawing logs into blocks or.

bolts by cuts through the log across the grain and the logs thus out are usually those which, by reason of quality or irregu" larity, are not useful for lumber. In the machine herein shown means is provided for automatically feeding the log along between the successive cuts, and the invention relates particularly to improvements in means for controlling the log both while being fed and while being operated upon by the saw.

Owing to the frequent irregularity of the logs presented to the machine, the problem of mechanically presenting the log to the machine and holding it firmly for the sawing operation is somewhat complicated, and an important object of the invention is to provide log controlling means, preferably including what is commonly termed log dogging means, by which logs of a great variety of sizes and shapes and especially logs which are very irregular in shape may easily be brought into proper position for the sawingoperation and held securely in such position.

A particular object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the class herein shown log dogging means so arranged with respect to the log feeding means that the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Serial No. 820,425.

sire-d lengths without manual manipulation of the logs in the machine and without the necessity for the operator to move from his position at the lever which controlsthe feeding and sawing means, or even to remove his hand from said lever.

A further object of the invention is to provide log dogging means which is simple, compact and strong in construction and yet convenient and easy to manipulate and to adjust.

Other objects and important features of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the invention embodied in a machine of the type disclosed in Letters Patent No.

959,221, above referred to; and Fig. 2 is a detached elevation, partly in section, of the dogging means.

The drag sawing machine in which the invention is shown as embodied comprises a main frame 2 upon which is journaled a driving shaft 4 to which a pulley 6, connected to any suitable source of power, may be clutched at the will of the operator. A combined 'fly, wheel and crank wheel 8 is connected by a pitman 10 to a saw carrying slide 12 arranged to reciprocate in a guide frame 14 which swings about a center lying in the aXis of the shaft 1. The guide frame 14 may be lifted to raise the saw out of the path of the log, when the log is being fed forward for the neXt cut, by means of a strap 16 connected to a crank shaft provided with a crank 18 and a ratchet wheel 20. A gravity controlled pawl 22, which may be swung-into inoperative position when it is desired to lower the saw, as more fully set forth in-the-Letters Patent above referred to, cooperates with the ratchet wheel 20 to lock the saw in raised position.

The log feeding means comprises two conical log engaging wheels 24: and 26 carried upon a shaft 28 mounted in hearings in the frame 30, a jointed driving shaft 32 driven from the shaft 4 by means of a worm and gear, not shown, being connected to the shaft 30. All of the parts thus far referred to are more fully shown and described in the Letters Patent above identified. In said Letters Patent are also described connections between the controlling lever 34: and the clutch that controls the saw operating mechanism and between said lever and gear shifting means whereby the log feeding means may be thrown into and out of operation, these connections being so arranged that by a continuous movement the saw may be thrown out of operation and the log feeding means brought into operation or vice versa but that both means may not be rendered operative at once.

The log, as it is fed forward, is preferably partly supported upon a carriage 36 having flanged wheels 38 guided upon a track 40 and having a log centering and retaining the depression 42. As pointed out above, the conical feeding wheels are toothed so that they tend to hold the log from turning and otherwise control it at the time the saw is operating upon it. If desired, an ordinary chain dog of the type shown in the Letters Patent above referred to-may also be provided. It is found, however, that such control of the log as is afforded by the means thus far described is not sufficient in all cases, particularly when the log is crooked or otherwise irregular in shape, and also when the log has been fed far enough so that the part upon the side of the feed roll upon which the saw is operating overbalances the part upon the other side of the feed roll. An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide novel and efficient log controlling means supplemental to those already described and also to provide in a machine ofthe class described log controlling means peculiarly suited for coiiperation with the other elements of the machine.

To this end, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, two multiple-toothed dogs 44 and 46 are so arranged that they will engage and control the log upon the side of the saw opposite to that upon which the feeding wheels 24 and 26 are located. These dogs are preferably arranged to engage the under side of the log and to cooperate so that they not only support the log but guide it as it is fed, the teeth of the dogs being rounded in the direction of feed of the log and sharpened in the direction of turning of the log, whereby the log may be fed over the dogs when they are in dogging position. They are also arranged for relative movements of approach and separation, being preferably pivoted at 48 and 50 in a slot 52 in the lower bar 54 of the frame 30 and being guided between an upper bar 56 at the end of the frame 30 and a second bar 58 upon the upper side of the frame 30, said bar 58 extending back to the frame 2 of the sawing machine and being connected to said frame.

Means is preferably provided for producing the relative movements of the dogs 44: and -16 by moving them simultaneously and equally toward and away from each other, whereby adjustment to logs of different size may be effected without disturbing the alinement of the opening between the dogs with the direction of feed of the log feeding mechanism. The means for effecting the simultaneous and equal movements of the dogs comprises a lever 60 having a fulcrum tooth 62 adapted to drop between any two of the teeth 6-1 of a fulcrum locating rack 66. Connected to the lever 60 above the fulcrum point is a rod 68 which extends to and is connected to the dog 44:, and connected to the lever 60 below the fulcrum point is a rod 70 extending to and connected to the dog 46.

In order that the log controlling mechanism may adapt itself automatically to a crook in that part of the log which projects beyond the log roller, provision is made for a bodily movement of said mechanism. The fulcrum locating rack 66 is arranged to slide a limited distance upon the bar 58, being confined upon said bar by bolts 74- passing through elongated slots 76 in the side of said rack.

It will thus be seen that, in order to permit the dogs to adjust themselves automatically to irregular logs, and particularly to logs which have their bulk upon one side of the line of feed, and at the same time to insure a positive engagement with the log, the lever 60 of the dog operating mechanism becomes a floating lever whenever one dog engages the log before the other, the fulcrum.

of the lever being transferred from the rack 66 to the connection to that dog which first engages the log.

Means is provided whereby the movement of the dogs may be effected either by the hand of the operator or by the foot of the operator, or by both together, the illustrated means comprising a handle 78 arranged to be engaged by the hand of the operator and a foot lever or treadle 80 arranged to be engaged by the foot of the operator. The treadle 8O cooperates with a ratchet plate 82 upon the side of the frame 2 of the sawing machine to lock the dogs in their different positions of adjustment toward each other, a spring 84, connected at one end to the lever 60 above the fulcrum and at its other end to the rod 70, tending normally to separate the dogs.

It will be apparent that an adjustment of the dogs toward one side or the other of the line of feed of the log may be effected by moving the fulcrum point 62 along the rack 66 and locating it between different pairs of teeth upon said rack. This adjustment, however, brings the dogs into different in clinations. Such an adjustment may be useful to meet the conditions presented by a log of a peculiar shape. Nhen, however, it is desired to vary the normal opening between the dogs this is effected by an adjustment of the fulcrum point along the rack and by a variation in the length of the connection between the lever 60 and the dog 44.

To vary the connection between the lever 60 and the dog 44 the rod 68 is provided with bolt receiving notches 86 which drop over a bolt 88 in a slot in the upper part of the lever 60. The notches 86 are twice as far apart as the teeth 64, since the dog 44 is moved with the dog 46 when the fulcrum point 62 is adjusted along the rack 66 to vary the inclination of the dog 46, and, therefore, enough adjusting movement must be imparted to the dog 44 to compensate for this movement of the dog 46 and to give to the dog 44 its adjustment.

When it is desired to feed the log forward by hand the feed Wheels 24 and 26 may be turned by means of a lever 90 having a pawl and ratchet connection, not shown, with the feed roll operating shaft.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the class described, log feeding means and log supporting means comprising log embracing members having log engaging portions constructed to permit the log to slide freely thereover in the feeding operation but to prevent turning of the log, said members being movable into different angular relations to each other to bring said log engaging portions into proper holding and supporting relation to logs of difi'erent diameters.

2. In a machine of the class described, a saw and means for operating said saw, log feeding means located upon one side of said saw and log supporting means located upon the other side of said saw, said supporting means comprising log embracing members having log engaging portions constructed to permit the log to slide freely thereover in the feeding operation but to prevent turning of the log, said members being movable into different angular relations to each other to bring said log engaging portions into proper holding and supporting relation to logs of different diameters.

3. In a machine of the class described, a saw, and means for operating said saw, log feeding means located upon one side of said saw, and log supporting means located upon the other side of said saw, said supporting means comprising movable dogs normally symmetrically located with respect to the line of feed of the log, and a single means for positively moving said dogs into log embracing relation constructed to permit differential movement toward and away from the line of feed.

4. In a machine of the class described, a saw, and means for operating said saw, log feeding means located upon one side of said saw, and log supporting means located upon the other side of said saw, said supporting means comprising movable dogs normally symmetrically located with respect to the line of feed of the log, and means for positively moving said dogs into log embracing relation, comprising a floating lever arranged to fulcrum at different points to permit differential movement of said dogs toward and away from the line of feed.

5. In a machine of the class described, a saw, and means for operating said saw, log feeding means located upon one side of said saw, and log supporting means located upon the other side of said saw, said supporting means comprising log embracing members having log engaging portions constructed to permit the log to slide freely thereover in the feeding operation but to prevent turning of the log. and means for moving said members positively into embracing relation to the log, comprising connections permitting differential movement of said members into engagement with a log having its bulk upon one side of the line of feed.

6. In a machine of the class described, log feeding means, and log supporting means having log engaging teeth rounded in the direction of feed of the log and sharpened in the direction of turning of the log.

7. In a machine of the class described, log dogging means comprising toothed dogs arranged to engage the under side of and support the log and to prevent it from turning, said dogs being relatively adjustable into different engaging and supporting positions, and the teeth of the dogs being constructed to permit feeding of the log when said dogging means is in dogging position.

Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs cooperating to support the log and to keep it from turning, and positive means for moving said dogs toward and away from each other to adjust them to the size of the log, said means comprising relatively movable connections arranged to permit a movement of self-adjustment of the dogs to irregularities in the log.

9. Log dogging means comprising a pair Oi toothed dogs cooperating to support the log and to keep it from turning, and means positively connected to said dogs for moving said dogs toward and away from each other to adjust them to the size of the log, said means comprising a floating lever arranged to permit differential movement of the dogs into engagement with irregular logs.

10. Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs cooperating to support the log and to keep it from turning, and positive means for moving said dogs toward and away from each other to adjust them to the size of the log, said means comprising a connection arranged to transfer the whole of the dog-operating movement of said means to the other dog after one of the dogs has engaged the log.

11. Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs cooperating to support the log and to keep it from turning, and positive means for moving said dogs toward and away from each other comjirising a lever and connections to the dogs, said lever being arranged to fulcrum upon one of said connections in order to transfer the whole of its movement to the other dog when the dog associated with said first-mentioned connection has engaged the log.

12. Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs cooperating to support the log and to keep it from turning, and a single means for effecting simultaneous and equal movements of said dogs toward and away from each other to adjust them to the size of the log, said means comprising a floating lever arranged to permit adjustment of the dogs to irregularities in the log.

13. Log dogging ieans comprising a pair of pivoted toothed dogs arranged to support a log and to keep it from turning and constructed to permit the log to be fed thereover when said dogs are in dogging position, and positive means for moving said dogs toward and away from each other to adjust them to the size of the log, said means having provision for adjustment to vary the nor and opening between the dogs with respect to the normal position of rest of said means.

1 Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs arranged to support the log and to keep it from turning, a single lever, connections between said lever and said dogs whereby said dogs may be moved simultantmusly toward and away from each other, and a slidable fulcrum for said lever between the connections to the respective dogs.

15. Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs arranged to support the log and to keep it from turning, and means for simultaneously moving the dogs toward or away from each other, said means being supported for limited movement during the dog moving operation to accommodate said dogs automatically to irregularities in the 10s 16. Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs arranged to support the log and to keep it from turning, and means for controlling said dogs comprising a lever and connections from said lever to each of said dogs, and a fulcrum support for said lever over which said lever and its connections may be adjusted bodily.

17. Log dogging means comprising a pair of dogs arranged to support the log and to keep it from turning, and means for moving said dogs toward or away from each other comprising a lever and connections from said lever to said dogs, and a fulcrum support for said lever having provision for bodily movement with said lever and its connections whereby said dogging means may adjust itself to irregularities in the log.

18. Log dogging means comprising a pair of toothed dogs arranged to support the log and to keep it from turning, means, comprising a floating lever for moving said dogs to aid and away from each other, means tending to keep said dogs normally in separated relation, and means for locking said dogs in log engaging relation.

19. 1n a machine of the class described, log cont-rolling means comprising toothed log feeding means and a pair of log supporting members movable toward and away from each other, the teeth upon said members being shaped to prevent said log from turning but at the same time to permit said feeding means to feed the log thereover when said members are in supporting position, and means positively connected to said member for effecting simultaneous and equal movements of said members toward and away from each other, said means comprising connections arranged for relative ITIOVB- ment to permit a differential movement of said members.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

A BERTSELL IRELAND. FRANK L. IRELAND. \Vitnesses DAVID F. Lnn, Josnrn M. \VnLcn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 1,186,990, granted June 13, 1916, upon the application of A Bertsell Ireland and Frank L. Ireland, of Norwich, New

York, for an improvement in Log-Controlling Mechanisms for Sawing-Machines,

errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4,

line 90, claim 19, strike out the word toothed same page and claim, line 91,

before the word log, second occurrence, insert the Word toothed; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of July, A. 1)., 1916.

[SEAL] F. W. H. CLAY,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

